Since I last wrote I finished my first half marathon on November 3rd. I reached 2 of 3 goals and just barely missed the third.
1) I completed the half marathon
2) I ran the entire race (minus the few water stations where I had to walk)
3) Finish in 2:30 – This is the one I just missed. I came in at 2:31:51 seconds. My goal for PF Chang’s Rock N Roll Half will be 2:30 or less. I think I can do that.
The weather was pretty decent. It was a little warm by the end but perfect to start off. The route was great. My only complaint is they put a photographer at the top of the biggest hill. We don’t have many of those in Phoenix so it takes a lot of effort to push through them. I did not look pretty when I reached the top.
During the first mile I wasn’t sure I was even going to be able to run. I tried to start off fairly slow, and I was pretty slow but not out of choice. I was having some horrible shin splints. I was nearly in tears. I thought about giving up. I convinced myself to stick with it and by mile two/three I was feeling much better.
I started off so slow that I didn’t pass the 2:45 pace group until about mile 5. I never did catch up to, or even see, the 2:30 pace group. They must have went much faster than 2:30.
I ordered this picture with a fancy frame that shows my name and finish time.
It felt so amazing to cross the finish line. I completed 13.1 miles. If you had told my 14-year-old self that I would even think about a half marathon at 33 she would have laughed at you. I used to hate running. Mostly because my asthma was so bad and I didn’t have any control over it at that time (and the drugs they gave me did nothing).
I took a week off and have been slowly adding miles again. I ran 4.28 miles yesterday. I am trying to add between .25 and .75 each time I run. I am feeling good and moving faster. The weather has been so great.
Saturday I have a virtual 5K. I ran the real 5K last year. I hope to beat my time, although without the race setting I tend to pace fairly slow. I will have to push myself. Maybe wearing the bib will help.
I’m number 3, watch for me on the road! (I won’t be wearing the race t-shirt. It is long sleeve!)
After my virtual race I am planning a Thanksgiving Day race. I am debating between a 10K or 10 miles. I am currently leaning toward the 10K since I haven’t been logging as many miles. After that I have a few races planned in December and January to keep me out of trouble!
